A Guide to Human Beings and Their Behaviour By Harry J.

Chong General Observations Human Morality is a Mutually Beneficial Social Contract- Morality does not necessarily come from a place purely of goodness. Morality, at least the one we know of, exists for our own benefit. It is more of a social contract. The phrase "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch your back" can summarily describe the reason for morality's existence. And being that morality exists for our own benefit this leads it to its limits and flexibility. When an individual does not perceive or receive a benefit from their supposed morality, they may severely limit it, to people or things they know of, and/or make it flexible, and create reasons for not following the code that has been laid out before them. Example: You don't kill me and I won't kill you. Morality is Limited - For most people morality is limited and human based, which means it does not often extend to strangers, foreigners, and/or creatures of another species, who do fulfill a role as a pet. A person may care for their family, friends, significant other, pets, neighbors, or even those in their community, but not much beyond that. Exploitation and destruction of distant beings, foreigners, strangers, or those who are not of the same species and not pets, is not a significant concern. Example: One may mourn the loss of a family dog, but may not care that he or she is eating the flesh of a pig for breakfast, which can be considered an equally intelligent, caring animal. Morality is Flexible - Conditions, and circumstance, as well as personal views or desires, can change one's morality. If one does not perceive a benefit from acting "moral" they will flex their morality, and change in such a way that they have their needs or wants satiated. They will creatively justify their wrongdoings by pointing out others who are doing it as well, shift blame, or come up with a reason that makes it seem reasonable. Example 1: It is wrong to kill, they say. But if a person is being threatened they may kill another human being and say that it is self-defense. The act itself is wrong, but by adding a condition to the action that they have committed, they alleviate themselves of guilt or transgression. In truth, if someone truly believed murder was wrong, they would never do it under any conditions. But like pointed out, morality is flexible. Example 2: Downloading music illegally, or stealing from a shop, and saying it is fine because the corporations only care about money, and do not feel the repercussions of such small action. Morality Can Be Created and Taught - Much of morality is innate and the rules of society can be learned through observation; however, morality can also be invented (sometimes arbitrarily), and formally passed along, either through understood social pressure, personal social contract, religion, or law. By formalizing or making morality tangible, through these means, and making agreements to follow it, society can benefit as a whole. Example: Discrimination and prejudice in the work place is against the law. Justification of Moral Choices are Often Herd Based - A majority of people will make moral decisions based on what the herd is doing, i.e. what others are "up to." They will excuse themselves, in

wrongdoings, by the "fact" that "everyone else is doing it" or "if I don't do it someone else will." The rationality for this is self-survival and competition. Example: A person steals from their workplace (nothing huge), but it's okay to them because other people are doing it as well. Conformity and Uniqueness are (Paradoxically) Equally Prized - Although some will not admit to it, conformity is prized just as much as uniqueness. The conformity, which individuals seek, come in the form of wanting to be accepted by peers or colleagues, and being seen as one of them. On the other the hand, an individual may also at the same time wish to be special and unique, and to rise above the rest. The duality of this nature, to have two conflicting opinions, stems from the benefit that each has to offer. Being accepted in a group can mean security and comfort; meanwhile being unique and breaking away, at least to some degree, can offer particular perks, such as financial success and success in one's career, being a leader. Negativity Toward Others, Who Are Different, Comes from Fear, Ignorance, and Personal Insecurities A person may verbally put down another person, who is different or chooses to be different to what they are used to, because of fear, ignorance, and personal self-doubts/insecurities. These "motivators" may come individually, or may be a combination of both or all three. Negative reactions may be with a stranger or oddly someone that you love and care about. When a person is negative toward another person because of fear, it is because they fear the potential disastrous consequences, either for themselves or the other person, or their fears may simply come from not understanding, and humans are, as protective mechanism, fearful of what they do not understand. Or, in some cases, where there is no thought to the harmful consequences, the negativity may be caused strictly by ignorance and not understanding the value of the person or what they are trying to do, which is different. When negativity toward someone else arises because of self-doubts and personal insecurities, it is because a person feels inadequate; they do not like the idea that someone is trying to be different, which can often meaning better. They feel left out and/or the contrast causes uneasiness about their identity that they have formed for themselves. People Routinely Alter or Ignore Facts to Continue Believing their Preferred Opinion(s) - Nearly every human being has a viewpoint or opinion about something, which is 100% wrong (or just about). Yet they cling to their incorrect ideas that they have formed, despite evidence and facts, for the reason that it makes them much happier and/or they do not want to accept that they were foolish enough to believe what they believed in the first place. The phrase "ignorance is bliss" immediately comes to mind. Example: Despite no evidence for an after life, people continue to believe it exists, for they dread the idea of ceasing to exist or their loved ones forever disappearing. They ignore logic to give themselves desired comfort. To Avoid Guilt, People Will Creatively Justify their Wrongdoings Rather than accepting responsibility for a wrong doing, and feel guilty, an individual will prefer to creatively justify their wrongdoings. That is: They will use their creative abilities to make up excuses and cast themselves in a favorable light against their misdeeds. This allows them to continue what they are doing without being burdened. Example: Stealing from a store and saying that it's okay, because they're evil and they have lots of money.

People Are Self-Contradicting/Inconsistent "I eat meat, but I love animals." "I have no money for Christmas. All I have is $100." A Person's Perception of Value is Based on Supply A Person's Perception of Value is also Based On Contrast, Applicable to Both Objects and Living Things People Don't Know What They Want, Until They See or Touch It; Tangibility is Key A Person's Moral Value Are Often Not Transferable, Nor Translatable Most People Expect More From Others Than Themselves People Admonish Double Standards, Except for Themselves Humans Are Highly Motivated by Base Desires Humans Are Highly Motivated by Emotional Fulfillment, However Irrational Self-Examination is Difficult Self-Examination for People is Far More Difficult than Outward Examination People Are Not Aware of their Lack of Skills and Knowledge When They Begin an Endeavor and/or Pursuit When a Person Feels Inadequate They will Judge Themselves Based On The Worst Example (Person) They Know Of and/or They Will Downplay Someone's Character, Who Is Superior to Them Eyewitness Accounts are Unreliable and Memories Can Actively Be Altered Learning New Things is Harder than Changing Old Things A Person's Perception of Time and Events Change as They Age Negligence, Corruption, and Cruel Acts are Far Easier to Do When In a Group When People Seek Opinions, They Will Seeks Ones That Affirm The Beliefs They Already Have -

Observations Between Men and Women